MockoThe TEF Études writing task asks you to take and justify a clear position on a given topic, typically in around 200 words. The marking rewards candidates who state their opinion directly, support it with logical reasons, and use cohesive language to link ideas. Vague writing that hedges on every sentence will not score well. This lesson shows you how to express an opinion clearly in French, structure it for maximum impact, and back it up with the kind of concrete language that examiners recognise as B1-competent writing.
What you’ll learn
- State your opinion clearly in the opening sentence
- Support your position with two or three reasons in separate paragraphs
- Use opinion vocabulary at B1 level without sounding mechanical
- Illustrate each reason with a brief, concrete example or detail
- Write a closing sentence that reinforces your position
Starting with a clear position
The first sentence of your response should leave no doubt about where you stand. A common mistake is to open with a long description of the topic before saying anything opinionated. The examiner needs to see your position quickly. Lead with it.
- "Je suis persuadé(e) que..." (I am convinced that...)
- "À mon avis," (In my opinion,)
- "Selon moi," (In my view,)
- "Je pense que..." (I think that...)
- "Je suis tout à fait pour / contre..." (I am entirely in favour of / against...)
À mon avis, les smartphones n'ont pas leur place en classe. Ils représentent une source de distraction permanente qui nuit à la concentration et à la qualité de l'apprentissage.
In my opinion, smartphones have no place in the classroom. They represent a constant source of distraction that harms concentration and the quality of learning.
Building reasons that support your position
Two well-developed reasons are worth far more than four undeveloped ones. A well-developed reason has three components: the reason itself, a brief supporting explanation, and one example or concrete detail.
- 1State the reason clearly in one sentence: "Les réseaux sociaux nuisent à la concentration des élèves."
- 2Explain why this is the case: "En effet, les notifications constantes interrompent le fil de la réflexion et rendent la reprise de l'attention difficile."
- 3Add a concrete detail: "Une étude menée auprès d'élèves de lycée a montré que ceux qui n'utilisent pas leur téléphone en classe obtiennent des notes en moyenne 10 % plus élevées."
Tout d'abord, les téléphones perturbent l'apprentissage. En effet, même lorsqu'ils sont en mode silencieux, les élèves sont tentés de les consulter régulièrement, ce qui brise leur concentration. Des recherches ont montré qu'il faut en moyenne vingt minutes pour retrouver un niveau de concentration optimal après une interruption.
First of all, phones disrupt learning. In fact, even when on silent mode, students are tempted to check them regularly, breaking their concentration. Research has shown that it takes an average of twenty minutes to return to optimal concentration after an interruption.
Linking your paragraphs
TEF writing is assessed partly on cohesion: does the text flow logically from one paragraph to the next? Use connectors deliberately, not randomly. Each paragraph connector should signal the logical relationship between the ideas.
- First reason: "Tout d'abord," / "En premier lieu,"
- Second reason (same direction): "De plus," / "Par ailleurs," / "En outre,"
- Third reason or nuance: "Enfin," / "Certes, ... mais..."
- Introducing an example: "Par exemple," / "C'est notamment le cas de..." / "Comme l'illustre..."
- Conclusion: "Pour toutes ces raisons," / "En conclusion," / "C'est pourquoi,"
The counterargument move
At B1 level you are not required to include a counterargument, but adding one sentence that acknowledges the other side and then refutes it makes your text stronger and shows more sophisticated thinking. The "certes... cependant" pattern is the cleanest way to do this.
Certes, les smartphones peuvent être utiles comme outils de recherche rapide. Cependant, les ordinateurs de classe ou les manuels numériques fournis par l'école remplissent cette fonction de manière plus contrôlée et moins distrayante.
Admittedly, smartphones can be useful as quick research tools. However, classroom computers or school-provided digital textbooks fulfil this function in a more controlled and less distracting way.
Using "certes" safely
- "Certes," must always be followed by a "cependant / mais / toutefois / néanmoins" to complete the idea.
- If you start with "Certes, X est vrai," you must then say "mais Y reste plus important."
- Never end a paragraph with "certes" alone, always complete the refutation in the same paragraph.
Closing your opinion text
The closing paragraph should be short: one or two sentences that restate your position and optionally make a small recommendation or forward-looking statement. Do not introduce new arguments here.
- "Pour toutes ces raisons, je reste convaincu(e) que..." (For all these reasons, I remain convinced that...)
- "En conclusion, il me semble évident que..." (In conclusion, it seems clear to me that...)
- "C'est pourquoi je pense qu'il est temps de..." (This is why I think it is time to...)
Pour toutes ces raisons, je reste convaincu que l'interdiction des smartphones en classe est une mesure nécessaire pour permettre aux élèves d'apprendre dans de bonnes conditions.
For all these reasons, I remain convinced that banning smartphones in the classroom is a necessary measure to allow students to learn in good conditions.
How to practise this
Opinion writing drill
- Pick one controversial topic per practice session: working from home, vegetarianism, social media age limits, nuclear energy.
- Spend 3 minutes writing a plan: position + two reasons + one example each + closing.
- Write the full text in 20 minutes, aiming for 200 to 220 words.
- Read it back and check: does every paragraph have a connector? Does the opening sentence state your opinion within the first 15 words? If not, revise.
Key takeaways
- State your opinion in the first sentence using a clear marker like "À mon avis," or "Je suis convaincu(e) que...".
- Two well-developed reasons beat four weak ones: each needs a reason, an explanation, and a concrete detail.
- Use connectors deliberately to show the logical relationship between paragraphs.
- Add a "certes... cependant" move to acknowledge the other side and strengthen your argument.
- Close with one or two sentences that restate your position, not with new arguments.
